Ski boot for alpine skiing

ABSTRACT

A boot for alpine skiing has a shell and sole. The heel has a seat for the insertion of a removable insert for engagement by the heel fixing unit of a standardized “Dynafit” binding. The seat is a recess and the insert has the shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the seat. The result is a smooth contour of the heel when the insert is placed within the seat. A pair of friction strips is secured to the bottom of the sole with projections from each strip fitting within recess in the sole. The strips are elongated and, when secured, are perpendicular to one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved ski boot for alpine skiing.

Boots for alpine skiing are known in the art. They generally have arigid shell of plastic material, provided with lever fastening devicesand internally housing an inshoe of soft material. The front jaw and theheel fixing unit of the sole and shell are constructed in accordancewith international regulations to adapt to different manufacturers'bindings.

In a known type of standard sole using the “Dynafit” binding system, theheel fixing unit comprises a cavity, part of which is occupied by ametal insert engagable with the binding. As new regulations arecurrently being launched in which the circumferential rim of the heelfixing unit is substantially smooth, there exists the problem of usingthe old alpine ski boots in association with the new regulations, whilestill enabling them to be used under the old regulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A boot for alpine skiing has a shell and sole. The heel has a seat forthe insertion of a removable insert for engagement by the heel fixingunit of a standardized “Dynafit” binding. The seat is a recess and theinsert has the shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the seat.The result is a smooth contour of the heel when the insert is placedwithin the seat. A pair of friction strips is secured to the bottom ofthe sole with projections from each strip fitting within recess in thesole. The strips are elongated and, when secured, are perpendicular toone another.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved boot for alpineskiing which can be used both with the bindings of the “Dynafit” systemand with the bindings of the new regulations.

This object is attained according to the invention by an improved bootfor alpine skiing comprising a shell, the sole of which is provided atthe heel with a seat for the insertion of a removable insert forengagement by the heel fixing unit of a standardized “Dynafit” binding,an insert having the shape and dimensions corresponding to those of theseat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the rear part of a ski boot inaccordance with the “Dynafit” binding system,

FIG. 2 shows it in assembled perspective view,

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the improved boot according tothe new regulations,

FIG. 4 shows it in assembled form,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sole of a ski boot, and

FIG. 6 shows it provided with anti-friction strips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen from the figures, the alpine ski boot according to theinvention comprises substantially a shell 2 of rigid plastic materialhousing internally a soft material inshoe (not shown in the drawings)with the sole 4 comprising a seat at the heel 6 partially occupied by ametal insert 10 suitable for use by the heel fixing unit of a binding,such as a standardized “Dynafit” ski binding. The insert is applied tothe heel by screws.

An insert 12 of plastic material the shape and dimensions of whichcorrespond exactly to those of the seat 8 such that, when the insert 10has been removed, the insert 12 can be applied to this seat 8 in orderto change the sole heel to a substantially smooth conformation to adaptit to the new regulations. In the smooth conformation, the insert doesnot extend beyond the contour of the heel, as seen in FIG. 4.

Moreover, as the regulations require the lower surface of the boot topresent two antifriction strips in contact with the plates of thebinding, these strips are obtained according to the invention byapplying two caps presenting a substantially flat head 16 and severalappendices 18, two or four, insertable into corresponding seats 20provided in the boot sole.

In this manner, application of the caps creates two mutuallyperpendicular strips forming with their flat surface an anti-adhesionregion against the plate of the binding.

From the aforegoing it is apparent that the improved boot of theinvention presents the advantage of being able to be used both withbindings of the old regulations (Dynafit) and with bindings of the newregulations.

1. A boot for alpine skiing comprising a shell having a sole with aheel, the heel having a seat for the insertion of a removable insert,said insert for engagement by the heel fixing unit of a binding, theinsert having the shape and dimensions corresponding to those of theseat.
 2. A boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert is made ofplastic material.
 3. A boot as claimed in claim 1, further comprising atleast one antifriction strip applicable to the lower surface of the soleof the shell, said strip being provided with ribs, the sole havingseats, the ribs engaging the seats in the sole.
 4. A boot as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said heel has a contour, said insert not extendingbeyond the contour of the heel.
 5. A boot as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe insert has a central portion, a first side extension, a second sideextension, a first bottom extension and a second bottom extension.
 6. Aboot for alpine ski comprising a shell having a sole, seats formed inthe sole, first and second antifriction strips, each strip havingappendices, the appendices fitting with in the seats in the sole.
 7. Aboot as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second strips areperpendicular to one another.
 8. A boot as claimed in claim 6, whereinthe first strip extends across the sole and the second strip extendsalong the longitudinal axis of the sole.
 9. A boot as claimed in claim8, wherein said second strip is attached at the heel of the sole.